Slaba novica za princa Harryja: sodišče je njemu in še šestim naložilo, da morajo plačati ogromno denarja

Prince William’s younger son, Prince Harry, has been ordered to pay more than £9.5 million (approximately €11 million) in legal costs following a court ruling in London. This amount, which must be settled by Friday, was imposed on Harry and six other plaintiffs who had previously lost their case against Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), the publisher of Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. The decision marks the latest chapter in a long-running dispute involving the British royal family and media outlets accused of invading privacy. The case began in January when the court started reviewing the lawsuit, which alleged that the tabloids used illegal methods such as intercepting text messages, installing listening devices, and hiring private investigators to gather personal information. The plaintiffs included high-profile figures like singer Elton John, his partner David Furnish, actress Liz Hurley, and Baroness Doreen Lawrence. They claimed these practices violated their right to privacy and sought compensation for the alleged harm caused. In July, Judge Matthew Nicklin issued a written judgment stating that while the allegations were serious, they required more convincing evidence than the plaintiffs had managed to provide during the proceedings. As a result, the court dismissed all the claims against ANL. The decision has now led to the imposition of legal costs on the plaintiffs, with the initial sum set at £9.5 million. However, this figure could increase significantly, according to reports from the BBC. ANL argues that its defense cost a total of £34.5 million, and it may attempt to recover the entire amount from the opposing side. In the event of a loss, the plaintiffs had insurance coverage that could cover up to £16.2 million in legal expenses. If the court allows ANL to pursue the full amount, Prince Harry could end up sharing the final bill of around £18 million among the seven individuals involved. This is the third and final legal action Harry has taken against UK tabloid publishers. In 2023, he successfully sued the publisher of Daily Mirror, and last year reached a settlement with the publisher of The Sun. Since stepping down from royal duties in 2020, Harry has lived in California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children. This week marked another move in their relocation back to the United Kingdom, as the family has been planning to return to the UK after several years abroad. The case highlights ongoing tensions between public figures and media organizations over issues of privacy and ethical journalism. While the outcome of the legal battle is clear, favoring the publisher, the financial implications remain substantial. For Harry, this represents yet another challenge in navigating life outside the monarchy, as he continues to assert his rights and seek justice in the face of persistent scrutiny.